Thirteenth Air Force
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| 13th Air Force | |
|---|---|
 13th Air Force patch |
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| Active | 13 January 1943 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Hickam Air Force Base |
Like the Fifth Air Force, the Thirteenth Air Force/Gen. George C. Kenney Headquarters (13AF/KHQ) has never been stationed in the continental United States. It is also one of the oldest, continuously active, numbered air forces.
It engaged in combat in the Pacific during World War II. Since World War II, it has provided air defense in the Far East, primarily the Philippines, until the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo forced the closure of Clark AB. Numerous Thirteenth Air Force organizations participated in Southeast Asia combat operations in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2005, the 13AF was retooled and renamed for General George Kenney, commander of the air operations in the South Pacific during World War II.
[edit] Mission
The mission of 13AF/KHQ is responsible for the planning, execution and assessment of air, space and information operations in the Pacific Theatre, minus the Korean area of operations. It is also responsible for Theatre Engagement at the operational level with partner nations in the Pacific region
Organizations assigned to 13AF/KHQ include the Pacific Air Operations Center/502d Air Operations Group, and a support group.
[edit] History
Activated at New Caledonia in the Coral Sea on January 13, 1943, 13AF began operations as an organization composed of many widely separated and independent units scattered throughout the Pacific. Form 1943-1945, 13 AF staged out of tropical jungles on more than 40 remote islands, thus earning the nickname, "The Jungle Air Force."
Initially charged with taking a defensive stand against advancing enemy forces, 13AF later took the offensive and traveled northeast from the Solomons to the Admiralty Islands, New Guinea, Morotai and the Philippines. Jungle Air Force units have participated in five different operation areas and 13 campaigns, flying a variety of aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder, P-38 Lightning, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, P-61 Black Widow, C-46 Commando, C-47 Skytrain, and L-5 Sentinel.
Thirteenth Air Force established its headquarters at Clark Field, Philippines, in January 1946. In May of that year, it moved to Fort William McKinley, Luzon. By August 1947, 13AF returned to Clark Field. In December 1948, the unit moved to Kadena, Okinawa, where it remained for only a few months before returning to Clark in May 1949.
During the Korean War, 13AF units provided staging areas for people and equipment destined for the war zone. During the decade of peace that followed the war, the command concentrated on training and surveillance activities to maintain a high state of readiness for contingencies.
As the Vietnam War escalated during the late 1960s and early 1970s, 13AF again served as a staging base and logistics manager for units fighting in Southeast Asia. As more American aircraft and people were poured into the war effort, combat units and facilities under 13AF in Thailand increased. At its peak, 13AF was composed of seven combat wings, nine major bases, 11 smaller installations and more than 31,000 military members.
With the buildup and execution of Operations Desert Shield and Storm, 13AF provided aircraft and support staff vital to the United Nations victory in Southwest Asia.
In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo buried Clark in volcanic ash, forcing the base to close on 26 November and leading to the evacuation of assigned military members and their families in Operation Fiery Vigil. The Thirteenth Air Force relocated and officially established its headquarters at Andersen Air Force Base on December 2, 1991.
In 2005, the Jungle Air Force stood down as a traditional Numbered Air Force and moved to Hickam Air Force Base to assume the role of the new Kenney Warfighting Headquarter for PACAF.
[edit] Commands during World War II
- XIII Bomber Command 1943-46
- XIII Fighter Command 1943-46
